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Life changing move for Oswestry family

05 April 2016

A recent move from an unsuitable property to a brand new bungalow has changed the life of one Oswestry couple – and their son.

Shaun Machin, who is 47 and suffers from osteoporosis and severe arthritis, and his wife Jo, have moved to a brand new two bedroom wheelchair accessible bungalow at our new development, Coldwell Gardens in Gobowen, following years of living in unsuitable accommodation in Oswestry.

Shaun says the move is like “winning the lottery” as he can now get out and about in the garden and has all the amenities he needs on the ground floor. Previously he was stuck inside, struggled to get upstairs and even slept on the sofa for over a year.

He said: “Moving here feels like getting my life back. All our mates helped us plant up the garden as I love it out there, I’m not stuck inside anymore and the house is warm and secure so we don’t have to worry about those things. I can’t thank The Wrekin Housing Trust enough; everyone is brilliant and can’t do enough for you.”

The move has come at the perfect time for the couple and their two young daughters, but it isn’t just them who have benefitted.

Their son Nick also used to live with the couple, but to enable them to move to a smaller property, Nick applied for one of the Trust’s apartments on the same site as his parents. He is just over the road when needed, but has his first taste of independence at the same time.

He said: “This is the perfect solution; my parents get the home they need to make life easier for dad and I get my own place, but with the reassurance of knowing I’m around when needed. And I can still get my washing done!”

Downsizing from a three bedroom property has also freed up a much needed family home in the town of Oswestry.

Carol Denning, Area Manager for the Trust, who helped the family through the process of moving into their new properties, said: “It’s been wonderful working with the Machin family. Shaun is like a new man now he’s moved and that’s lovely to see. It’s also great to see Nick in his first home of his own.”

Coldwell Gardens, a mixture of bungalows, houses and apartments, is a Trust development on the site of the Old Coal Yard in Gobowen, providing 22 new affordable homes for this rural community.